At least 18 die in Ukraine clashes

Germany has refused to back Washington's calls for sanctions against Ukraine's government to pressure it into accepting opposition demands for reforms.

But when central Kiev exploded in violence Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Ukrainian security forces have a ‘‘particular responsibility'' to de-escalate the situation, adding that the EU might resort to unspecified sanctions against individuals.

‘‘Whoever is responsible for decisions that lead to bloodshed in the center of Kiev or elsewhere in Ukraine will need to consider that Europe's previous reluctance for personal sanctions must be rethought,'' he said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry blamed the West for the escalation of the violence and called on the opposition to work with the government to find a way out of the crisis.

‘‘What is happening is a direct result of the conniving politics of Western politicians and European bodies,'' the ministry said in a statement.